Nicola Bulley died as a result of drowning and was alive when she fell into the water, a Home Office pathologist has said.
Dr Alison Armour, giving evidence at an inquest at County Hall in Preston, said watery fluid and fragments of dirt found inside Ms Bulley's body were "typical features we see in cases of drowning".
She added that Ms Bulley was alive when she entered the water and that there was "no evidence" she was harmed before falling into the Wyre.
Ms Bulley, 45, had vanished after dropping her daughters at school, then taking her dog for a walk along the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27 this year.
The 45-year-old vanished after dropping her daughters at school, then taking her usual dog walk along the River Wyre in St Michael’s on Wyre, Lancashire, on 27 January.
The mystery surrounding her disappearance sparked intense public interest. Her phone was found on a bench near the water, and was still connected to a Microsof Teams call with colleagues.
Her body was tragically found in the river on February 19 - three weeks after she vanished. Nicola, who was mum to girls aged six and nine, had to be identified through her dental records.
Dr Armour said there was no sign she had been assaulted before her death and no indication of third party involvement.
The pathologist also said there was no indication Nicola had been drinking alcohol before she died.
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